Blowout preventer stack landing assist tool

Abstract

A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool and landing tool adapter joint for use with a standard telescoping joint used in oil and gas drilling operations that allows lifting and moving of the riser string and blowout preventer stack without requiring disconnection of the telescoping joint, tensioning lines and associated piping from the riser string connection.

1. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool assembly for use with a riser string comprising a telescoping joint and riser joints extending below the telescoping joint and secured to a blowout preventer stack, the tool assembly comprising:
 (a) a blowout preventer stack landing assist tool, including;
 (i) a main body having a drill pipe sub upper connection; 
 (ii) an outer body having a bore receiving said main body therein, said main body rotatable within said outer body; 
 (iii) a plurality of keys secured on said outer body; 
 (iv) a segment carrier body threadably engaging a lower end of said main body, said segment carrier body having a tapered outer portion; 
 (v) a plurality of load segments slidably engaging said tapered outer portion of said segment carrier body, said plurality of load segments movable between retracted and extended positions by axial movement of said segment carrier body relative to said outer body; and, 
 
 (b) a blowout preventer stack landing tool adapter joint connectable in the riser string between the telescoping joint and riser joints extending below the telescoping joint, said blowout preventer stack landing tool adapter joint having a bore therethrough including a plurality of key slots for receiving said keys secured on said outer body of said blowout preventer stack landing assist tool and a plurality of load segment shoulder profiles complementary to said load segments and receiving said load segments when in their extended position. 
 
   
   
     2. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool assembly, according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said blowout preventer stack landing assist tool keys are radially flexible between a first position allowing said keys to move axially along the bore of said blowout preventer stack landing tool adapter joint and a second position wherein said keys engage said key slots in said bore to position said blowout preventer stack landing assist tool and to prevent rotation of said outer body relative to said landing tool adapter joint. 
 
   
   
     3. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool assembly, according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 said load segments are urged radially into engagement with a plurality of load segment shoulder profiles by axial movement of said segment carrier body when said main body is rotated. 
 
   
   
     4. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool assembly, according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 said load segments include a plurality of shoulders on their exterior, said plurality of load segment shoulders engaging said plurality of complementary load segment shoulder profiles in said blowout preventer stack landing tool adapter joint. 
 
   
   
     5. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool assembly, according to  claim 4 , including:
 a plurality of segment guides disposed on said tapered outer portion of said segment carrier body, said segment guides having plurality of lips; and, 
 a slot disposed on the interior of said load segments, said load segment slot engaging said segment guide lips and providing positive extension and retraction of said load segments by axial movement of said segment carrier body when said main body is rotated. 
 
   
   
     6. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool assembly, according to  claim 5 , including:
 an end cap retained on the lower end of said main body by a retainer plate secured to said main body by securing means; and, 
 said end cap preventing said segment carrier body from unthreading from said main body. 
 
   
   
     7. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool assembly, according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 said segment carrier body includes a plurality of position indicator rods secured thereto, said position indicator rods extending through said end cap. 
 
   
   
     8. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool assembly, according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 said end cap including a plurality of guide rods secured thereto, said guide rods extending axially into complementary holes in said segment carrier body. 
 
   
   
     9. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool assembly, according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 said segment carrier body further including anti-rotation keys secured thereto; and, 
 said segment carrier body anti-rotation keys engaging complementary splines on the interior of said outer body to prevent rotation therebetween. 
 
   
   
     10. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool assembly, according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 said main body including a radially outwardly extending shoulder engaging a radially inwardly extending shoulder formed in said outer body bore with a bearing positioned therebetween; and, 
 a bearing arranged on an upper face of said outer body, said bearing retained by a retainer cap secured to said main body. 
 
   
   
     11. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool assembly, according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said main body further includes a mud return passage extending axially from said lower end thereof to a medial point and intersecting a plurality of radially disposed mud return holes that exit said main body between said main body bearing retainer cap and said drill pipe sub upper connection. 
 
   
   
     12. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool for use with a telescoping joint including inner and outer barrels with inner bores, the telescoping joint including a riser string and blowout preventer stack secured thereto, comprising:
 a main body adapted to receive a drill pipe adapter sub at its upper end; 
 an outer body having a bore receiving said main body therein, said main body rotatable within said outer body; 
 a plurality of keys secured on said outer body; 
 a segment carrier body engaging a lower end of said main body with complementary threads, said segment carrier body having a tapered outer portion; 
 a plurality of load segments slidably engaging said tapered outer portion of said segment carrier body, said plurality of load segments movable between retracted and extended positions by axial movement of said segment carrier body relative to said outer body; and, 
 a profile formed in a portion of the bore of the outer barrel of the telescoping joint, said profile including a plurality of key slots for receiving said keys secured on said outer body and a plurality of load segment shoulder profiles complementary to said load segments and receiving said load segments when in their extended position. 
 
   
   
     13. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool for use with a telescoping joint having a riser string and blowout preventer stack secured thereto, according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 said keys are radially flexible between a first position allowing said keys to move axially along said telescoping joint inner and outer barrel bores and a second position wherein said keys engage said key slots in said outer barrel bore to position said outer body and to prevent rotation of said outer body relative to said telescoping joint outer barrel. 
 
   
   
     14. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool for use with a telescoping joint having a riser string and blowout preventer stack secured thereto, according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 said load segments are urged radially into engagement with said load segment profiles by axial movement of said segment carrier body when said main body is rotated. 
 
   
   
     15. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool for use with a telescoping joint having a riser string and blowout preventer stack secured thereto, according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 said load segments include a plurality of shoulders on their exterior, said plurality of load segment shoulders engaging said plurality of complementary load segment shoulder profiles in said outer barrel bore. 
 
   
   
     16. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool assembly, according to  claim 15 , including:
 a plurality of segment guides disposed on said tapered outer portion of said segment carrier body, said segment guides having plurality of lips; and, 
 a slot disposed on the interior of said load segments, said load segment slot engaging said segment guide lips and providing positive extension and retraction of said load segments by axial movement of said segment carrier body when said main body is rotated. 
 
   
   
     17. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool for use with a telescoping joint having a riser string and blowout preventer stack secured thereto, according to  claim 16 , including:
 an end cap retained on the lower end of said main body by a retainer plate secured to said main body by securing means; and, 
 said end cap preventing said segment carrier body from unthreading from said main body. 
 
   
   
     18. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool for use with a telescoping joint having a riser string and blowout preventer stack secured thereto, according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 said end cap including a plurality of guide rods secured thereto, said guide rods extending axially into complementary holes in said segment carrier body. 
 
   
   
     19. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool for use with a telescoping joint having a riser string and blowout preventer stack secured thereto, according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 said segment carrier body further including anti-rotation keys secured thereto; and, 
 said segment carrier body anti-rotation keys engaging complementary splines on the interior of said outer body to prevent rotation therebetween. 
 
   
   
     20. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool for use with a telescoping joint having a riser string and blowout preventer stack secured thereto, according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 said main body including a radially outwardly extending shoulder engaging a radially inwardly extending shoulder formed in said outer body bore with a bearing positioned therebetween; and, 
 a bearing arranged on an upper face of said outer body, said bearing retained by a retainer cap secured to said main body. 
 
   
   
     21. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool for use with a telescoping joint having a riser string and blowout preventer stack secured thereto, according to  claim 20 , wherein:
 said main body further includes a mud return passage extending axially from said lower end thereof to a medial point and intersecting a plurality of radially disposed mud return holes that exit said main body between said main body bearing retainer cap and said drill pipe sub. 
 
   
   
     22. A blowout preventer stack landing assist tool for use with a telescoping joint having a riser string and blowout preventer stack secured thereto, according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 said segment carrier body includes a plurality of position indicator rods secured thereto, said position indicator rods extending through said end cap.